Cathie Roberts is a name synonymous with dedication and passion. Her journey in basketball spans decades and has been marked by tireless effort and a profound love for the game. Cathie has been a driving force behind the growth and success of the Northside Wizards, leaving a mark on the association and the sport.
In the early 90s, Cathie's basketball journey began when her son Luke expressed his desire to play in the U10s. She took him to the Redcliffe Basketball Association, run by a small group of volunteers. Eager to help, Cathie quickly became involved in game days and administration. Soon, she was contributing in various roles, including score bench duties, coaching, refereeing, and other volunteer activities.
"I'm not really one to sit around, and I wanted to be involved in what my son was doing," Cathie said.
After the Redcliffe association folded, Cathie and her family joined the Brisbane Men's and Women's Basketball Association, which had recently relocated to the new Sports Centre at Boondall. Known for her proactive nature, Cathie soon volunteered her time and eventually became the part-time competitions administrator.
"The board decided there was a need to have paid administration, and it was a good fit for me to take on that role," she explained.
Cathie was catapulted to the General Manager position when the association transitioned from Brisbane Men's and Women's Basketball to the Northside Wizards. Under her leadership, the association saw tremendous growth, expanding from a modest 400 members to 5,500 members.
"We relocated our office to the South Pine Sports Complex at Brendale and continued to see the popularity of basketball grow on the Northside for the next six years," Cathie recounted.
In 2018, the association moved out of Brendale for refurbishment, coinciding with a state government grant for the Zillmere building. For two years, they operated without a permanent home. However, in October 2020, they opened the Northside Indoor Sports Centre at Zillmere, a victory a long time in the making, made even sweeter with a court named in her family's honour.
"Getting to Zillmere was like, 'Yes! We've finally arrived,' but this was really just beginning," Cathie said.
With the new stadium came the realisation that the association was poised for further growth. Believing it was time for fresh ideas and energy, Cathie stepped aside from her role as General Manager after a 20-year tenure, allowing the association to recruit a CEO. However, she continues contributing today as the Special Projects Manager, overseeing finance, IT, the junior representative program, and policy and procedures.
When asked why she remains involved, Cathie said,
"I think because we have such a good community, our volunteers and staff are very invested in growing an association that people want to be a part of. We are a big family, and many of these people are great friends to me and my family."
Cathie considered retiring but found herself too excited about the association's future.
"I keep thinking now that in the not-too-distant future, I might hang up my boots, but I get too much FOMO because there's still so many good things to come, and I want to be part of it."
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